Objects acquired by museums are often given special treatment to preserve them, and this may raise problems, as described in a letter in the
Journal of the American Medical Association for May 24/31 by a group from the University of Arizona.
Arrangements made for the return of human remains, funerary objects and sacred objects to native Americans, Alaskan natives and native Hawaiians under new United States laws have raised the risk of exposure to pesticides and other preservatives applied to objects taken into museums. The materials concerned include arsenic, mercury, organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorines and volatiles, which if they reach the public domain may pose a risk to health.
Three museum objects were analysed, each made of leather, grasses, corn husks, feathers, horsehair, yarn and paint. Samples were taken of adherent debris and surface material. Metal content, organic pesticide residues and volatiles were estimated by gas chromatography or x-ray analysis. No visible evidence of contamination was seen on any of the objects.
Analysis showed arsenic on all surfaces of one object, with highest concentrations round eye holes, surface paint and feathers. Total arsenic content was 1.3g. Museum records showed that treatment with sodium arsenite had been carried out. Another object had traces of naphthalene on interior surfaces, but there was no record of this. Another object had arsenic in exterior surface paint totalling 60mg. Again there was no museum record of this.
Pesticides have been applied to museum specimens for years, arsenic being used from the 1800s to the 1970s. This poses a hazard if the object is taken back into general use, the greatest danger being to a young child who chewed a contaminated object. Moreover, long-term exposure might follow the collection of dust during storage, from food stored with ceremonial objects, or during ceremonial use. The authors of the letter recommend that all museum objects liable to repatriation through legal claims be tested for residues of pesticides and preservatives.